The natural hazards research and disaster risk reduction community mourns the passing of highly respected New Zealand academic Distinguished Professor David Johnston, founder and Director of the Joint Centre for Disaster Research at Massey University.
Prof Johnston was also the Deputy Director of the New Zealand Centre for Earthquake Resilience, with the multi-institutional QuakeCoRE research program and a leader for Resilience to Nature’s Challenges. He also worked with many international partners over the years to improve global disaster risk reduction.
Natural Hazards Research Australia CEO, Andrew Gissing paid tribute to Prof Johnston and his contribution to emergency management in Australasia and around the world.
“David’s tremendous contribution to social sciences in emergency management is testament to his commitment to the personal impacts of disaster,” Andrew said.
“His vision and understanding of the social aspects of disaster research and risk reduction were at the heart of his purpose and with it, the difference he made and will continue to make in the lives of communities around the world.”
For the Bushfire and Natural Hazards CRC, Prof Johnston was involved in projects such as Community understanding of the tsunami risk and warnings systems in Australian communities, Child-centred disaster risk reduction and Improving the role of hazard communications in increasing residents’ preparedness and response planning.
Prof Johnston co-led the high-impact Bushfire and Natural Hazards CRC project Disaster Recovery Capitals (ReCap). Professor Lisa Gibbs (University of Melbourne and Natural Hazards Research Australia) commented on their partnership.
“David Johnston and I were linked as co-leads on the ReCap project before we had even met. He made it clear in our first meeting that he was committed to an inclusive, participatory approach and so I knew the partnership was going to work well. He was a wonderful collaborator who was generous with his knowledge and always open to new ideas. You had to have fast ears to keep up with the stream of information he delivered because he always had so much on the go! He was a natural leader who created spaces for his team to step forward and demonstrate their capacity and was always focused on conducting research that was useful.”
The impact of ReCap in supporting the recovery of communities impacted by emergency was recognised with a highly commended award in the 2022 New Zealand Emergency Media and Public Affairs (EMPA) emergency communication – recovery awards.
Acting Director of the Joint Centre for Disaster Research at Massey University, Prof Kirsty Ross paid tribute to Prof Johnston and his contribution to emergency management in Australasia and around the world.
“It is without question that David contributed tremendously to the social sciences in emergency management. Indeed, his contribution to disaster management cannot be quantified. His vision of the needs of the discipline, and his understanding of, and relationships with, communities gained him significant admiration and respect. He had a deep understanding of the power of building relationships and working with (and indeed for) communities, and he was always willing and eager to go to where the needs were and to meet people dealing with the personal impact of disasters. He was dedicated to improving the lives of all those affected by disasters and emergencies. We are committed to the continuation of David’s legacy, the work of the Centre, and to his vision going forward.
“The staff within the Centre have all worked alongside David and share his vision; they will continue to build on the fantastic work that has already been undertaken.”